4224 The Zoologist — November, 1874. 



Ornithological Notes from North Lincolnshire. 

 By John Coedeaux, Esq. 



(Continued from S. S. 4063.) 



June, July and August, 1874. 



Brownheaded Gull. — June 15, Young birds of the year first 

 seen on llie flats. On the 16th I saw from four to five hundred, all 

 adults, on some freshly-broken upland ; they were basking in the 

 hot sunshine, reclining in various positions, some busily engaged 

 in preening their feathers, others dusting themselves in the dry 

 soil like partridges, but the greater part were sleeping with their 

 bills tucked away beneath the scapularies : every one of these birds 

 I believe were adult. They will resort every day to the same 

 place, resting for hours in this manner during the heat of the day. 

 In time the land becomes covered with their feathers, as if a flock 

 of geese had been plucked upon it. 



Spotted Flijcatcher. — I have not seen a single flycatcher in this 

 neighbourhood during the summer. It is usually very common. 

 Two pairs which have now for many years nested in ray garden 

 have not shown themselves this season. 



Redlegyed Partridge. — This bird is becoming quite common in 

 that part of South Lincolnshire bordering the Wash and opposite 

 the county of Norfolk. I am told it has of late years gradually 

 extended its range in that district. 



Dunlin. — July 13. A considerable flock, in summer plumage, on 

 the river flats. 



Whimhrel. — July 14. Seen and heard. 



Great Blackhacked Gull. — July 17. Some old birds, with their 

 young, have returned to the sea coast. 



Mistletoe Thrush. — July 24. Have already congregated. In the 

 last week in the month I daily met with large flocks amf ugst the 

 heather and mountain sedges on the highest portion of the Shap 

 Fells in Westmoreland, and on the still higher fell ranges at the 

 head of Swindale and Wet and along Sleddale. 



Oijstercatcher. — July 28. There was an oystercatcher to-day 

 swimming on one of the loneliest and wildest of our English lakes. 

 It rose from the beach and alighted in the water some distance 

 from the shore, swimming with all the grace and ease of any other 

 water-fowl, sitting, however, very high in the water. 



